A Lebanese official sees Israeli pullout accord near

An agreement on withdrawing Israeli troops from Lebanese soil could be reached within a month or two, Lebanon's foreign minister said. Elie Salem conceded there was a big gap between Lebanon and Israel, but added that talks between the two had made progress. Some believe the talks may be stalled because of the controversy in Israel over a report criticizing some Israeli officials for their conduct in last year's Beirut massacre (see Page 4.)

In Jerusalem, a grenade explosion injured at least seven in a demonstration calling for the dismissal of Defense Minister Ariel Sharon, who was condemned by the report.